Kate Smith and the Game of Thrones' Latte

A Starbucks latte in medieval England is merely ludicrous. Destroying lives and legacies without taking into account historic context is a far more serious distortion.

Tens of millions of faithful followers of Game of Thrones noticed the glaring error. In the fourth episode of the show’s last season, a celebratory feast in Winterfell included a very 21st-century Starbucks coffee cup sitting in front of Emilia Clarke’s Mother of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen among all the metal goblets of wine. Imagine – a latte time- machined back into the medieval era!

The gaffe has become a meme for anachronisms – a blatant example of history falsified by the intrusion of the contemporary into the past.

Producers of the show, mortified by this obvious inattention to historic detail, tried their very best to mitigate their sloppiness. “The latte that appeared in the episode was a mistake,” a spokesman for HBO said, admitting an error had obviously been made: “Daenerys had actually ordered an herbal tea.” Shamefaced producers have rectified their mistake and the infamous coffee cup has now been photo-cropped into inglorious oblivion.

For me, this entire incident has a far more serious implication. It reminds me of a grievous misuse of anachronism which has become part of contemporary soul-searching that can bring unfair and unfortunate consequences in its wake.

Take the recent besmirching and defaming of the memory of Kate Smith, who has gone from patriotic symbol to pariah overnight. The woman who helped make God Bless America a semi-national anthem – a classic ode to American greatness by Irving Berlin, a grateful Jewish immigrant – she had a TV, radio and recording career that spanned decades.

When President Franklin Delano Roosevelt introduced Kate Smith to King George VI of England, he said, “This is Kate Smith. Miss Smith is America.’’ She was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. During WWII she traveled nearly 520,000 miles to entertain troops; she sold a record $600 million in war bonds in a series of round-the-clock radio appeals.

And now this American icon is being maligned as a racist.

Her crime? When she was 24 years old, five years into her career and during the depression, she was hired to sing on radio. She was told to record a song that society at that time unquestioningly accepted as culturally acceptable but today views as grossly offensive. "That's Why Darkies Were Born", written by Ray Henderson and Lew Brown, presented a searing, satirical view of racism. It became a top 20 hit, used also in the Marx Brothers movie “Duck Soup”, and subsequently recorded by Paul Robeson, the famous Afro-American fiery civil rights spokesman and leader. Now, almost a century later, we’re told Kate Smith can’t be forgiven for her transgression – a “crime” only viewed as racist in American culture close to a century later.

Now, almost a century later, we’re told Kate Smith can’t be forgiven for her transgression – a “crime” only viewed as racist in American culture close to a century later.

After the terrorist attack of 9/11 the New York Yankees made Kate Smith’s rendition of God Bless America a staple for the seventh-inning stretch. A few weeks ago someone brought Smith’s violation of contemporary racist standards to their attention. With hardly a moment for reflection, for context, for perspective with regard to a loathsome accusation that Smith was in fact a racist, with neither trial by judge or jury, Smith was proclaimed guilty as charged. She can no longer be heard at Yankee Stadium.

Kate Smith signing autographs for American sailors, 1938.

Here is an interesting follow-up question: how is it that the New York Yankees took eight years after Jackie Robinson broke into the major leagues in 1947 and broke the color barrier for them to finally sign Elston Howard – after 12 teams by then had already signed black players?

Should the Yankees now be boycotted?

Truth be told, America for the longest time was guilty of racism. It took more than a century for a society condoning slavery to move towards fulfillment of its stated ethos that “all men are created equal.” Indeed, even today we have not fully realized that ideal.

Along the way many have stumbled. We can find fault with giants in every field of American history guilty in some way of behavior no longer considered tolerable, of actions by contemporary standards both inexcusable and unforgivable. But we need sufficient tolerance to forgive failings of the past whose sinfulness requires the accrued wisdom of years and sometimes even generations.

Anachronisms like a Starbucks latte in medieval England may just be ludicrous. Destroying lives, reputations and legacies without taking into account the historic background is a far more serious distortion.

Rabbi Benjamin Blech, a frequent contributor to Aish, is a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, and lecturer. He is the author of 19 highly acclaimed books with combined sales of over a half million copies, A much sought after speaker, he is available as scholar in residence in your community. See his website at rabbibenjaminblech.com.

Why are Rabbis silent when Jewish tradition is violated? Synagogues are closing while Rabbis remain quiet. They are our spoesman in Temples and Synagogues why arent they speaking out publically?

(14)
SHELLEY HERMAN,
May 20, 2019 6:04 AM

The condemners have an agenda!

The problem is that those who condemn Kate Smith or anything traditionally 'American' are trying to tear down all things that remind them of anything that happened that is not in their present frame of mind. They tear down statues, founding fathers, or anything else that displeases them.

Raymond,
May 20, 2019 1:54 PM

Nimrod Strikes Again

Shelley Herman is correct. The same motivation for the Left tearing down Kate Smith has motivated them to tear down the statues of key figures in American history, as well as to tear down the nuclear family (though the welfare system, abortion, and transgenderism), replacing traditional, Biblical religions with worshiping the State, and their tacit approval of antisemitism. For the core essence of the Left, is their war against G-d Himself. Nimrod rears his ugly head once again.

(13)
Abby,
May 20, 2019 2:56 AM

Westeros is not of this world

The “Game of Thrones” gaffe is not one of historical inaccuracy. It’s a different world, a different planet with different history. More of a galaxy far far away than going back in time. They just do a lot of filming in England with historical sites and use primarily English accents.
Agree that it’s inappropriate to judge the past by today’s standards.

(12)
Raymond Blum,
May 19, 2019 9:12 PM

End of America

I happen to think that the real motivation for the Politically Correct Leftists taking Kate Smith down has absolutely nothing to do with racism, and nothing to do with that song that she sang when she was so very young, and everything to do with the Left's hatred of America. The real reason why Kate Smith's legacy has now been destroyed, is because she was THE symbol of American patriotism, of loving America, and if there is one thing that the Left cannot stand, it is any person who interferes with the Left's agenda to destroy America. The New York Yankees should be ashamed of themselves for so easily submitting to the will of those who hate America. I can only hope that some major sports team in America will have the moral courage to help restore the legacy of the super American patriot, Kate Smith. G-d Bless America, land that I love. I stand beside Kate Smith.

(11)
Ted Green,
May 19, 2019 7:49 PM

Agreement

I have to agree totally with this article. We have lost the ability to separate our contemporary thinking from the historic past. And in the process we have denied any number of people their place in history, people that were once admired for their talent and their contributions to America. It's true, prejudice is rampant in this country and people have to change their way of thinking, but when there are some who feel it important to rant about the sins of the past, they are perpetuating this practice. And in effect revitalizing hatred of others for all the obvious reason.

(10)
Anonymous,
May 19, 2019 5:10 PM

if i recall correctly she was very vocal towards keeping the yidden out of US

(9)
Yaakov Meyer,
May 19, 2019 4:52 PM

another victory for ludicrousness?

How do we get this message out to the universities and other far left thinkers? They are destroying lives and societies and revising history. Is there no end to their falsehood?

(8)
Anonymous,
May 19, 2019 4:34 PM

100 years later

As long as you agree that 100 years from the Holocaust we can forgive Hitler and his murderous bunch and glowingly rave about their other accomplishments and not remember their murderous rage.

Nancy,
May 19, 2019 10:04 PM

To commenter #8 Anonymous

This issue and the Holocaust are not the same. The song in question was not meant to be taken as a satire. Also, Kate Smith was gifted with a 2 1/2 octave range. Why WOULDN’T I want to hear such a voice sing God Bless America? Btw—I have liberal leanings and do not always agree with everything Rabbi Burch writes, but I agree with this article. I also respect Rabbi Blech. He, like other aish contributors has enlightened me over the years.

(7)
Anonymous,
May 19, 2019 3:53 PM

Why is this only seen from white eyes

If you were black what would you think about Kate Smith? If you were black and alive in 1930 what would you think of Kate Smith? If you were black would you want to stand during Kate Smith's rendition of God Bless America? Your article addresses everything except for the people she offended. This offensive notion that it was OK to call another human being "darkie" because it was 1930 is ridiculous. It was wrong then it shouldn't matter that it was accepted. I think the problem with some of these symbols is that they do not represent everybody. Kate Smith was never an important symbol in the black community. In fact many blacks were always under the impression she was racist. Why is saving her legacy so important to white people? What did she actually do? Why should people of color embrace her as a symbol?

Nancy,
May 24, 2019 11:28 AM

To commenter #7 Anonymous

Nobody ever said that Kate Smith cared about the problems of black people during the 1930s. Also, as I mentioned previously that song was meant as a satire. Additionally, people are forgetting that MANY people made fun of Kate Smith because of her size. Is that any better than singling out a person due to race? She was indeed a large woman with a beautiful singing voice, but make no mistake. Quite a few people poked fun at her and made her cry. Someone here said that when we know better we do better, and I believe that to be true. However, we cannot move forward unless we first look back.

Alan Parham,
May 25, 2019 2:49 PM

Shame

Fat shaming is a lot better than lynching and not being considered a full human being. Shame on you for the comparison.

(6)
Anonymous,
May 19, 2019 3:04 PM

Echos of the past

In our world the past must be re-molded so that the only shining image is today.Greatness of yesteryear must be relegated to the trash heap of disdain, for how else can ignorance wear the mantle of riotousness?

(5)
Dale Debber,
May 19, 2019 2:43 PM

Rabbi Blech Got it Right

Rabbi Blech, in this piece about America’s current cultural issues shows the intolerance that has overtaken America in the name of political correctness. Elites in universities and media are pounding Western cultures with near Orwellian actions in the guise of fairness. They are anything but.

(4)
Marvin J Migdol,
May 19, 2019 2:31 PM

Kate Smith was an anti-semite

Look it up

Nancy Perkins,
May 19, 2019 3:37 PM

To commenter Marvin J. Migdol

I just read about Kate Smith on Wikipedia and saw nothing about her being anti Semitic. However, I DID read that Burt Lahr made fun of Kate Smith’s size, causing Ms. Smith to become very upset. Also, the song being discussed was a satire.

(3)
Anonymous,
May 19, 2019 1:47 PM

When we know better, we do better.

All of us are works in progress. We learn as we grow what is acceptable and what is not. We make missteps along the way and should not be held accountable for what we do not know.

(2)
Tonna Chavez,
May 19, 2019 12:22 PM

This isn't the reason

Taking down or removing something that is deemed racist or in some way offensive to people, i don't feel is done because of a perceived racism or any other proclaimed "ism". I truly believe these things are done in an attempt to sanitize history. They erase the parts of our history that some, ie those purport to perceive as offensive. History is history for a reason...it is an event in the past that reminds us of how life was IN THE PAST. What is the very timely quote by Winston Churchill..."those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it". If people do not know what they do not know...they can be told anything and will be prone to believe it because they have no knowledge of the truth. Changing the names of schools, sports teams, taking down historical markers or statues simply because of the perceived offensivesness of it is wrong. History reminds us of who we were, where we came from, how far we have come and how much further we have to go. And history allows us the ability to learn from our mistakes and not reinvent them. With those who want to change history, perception is everything...knowledge is nothing but a roadblock that must be torn down. The times that we are seeing now, so very much reflect the words of Paul Harvey in his story of how, if he were the devil how he would take control of the world. If you are not familiar with this, look it up. His words are very timely and unfortunately becoming reality right before our eyes.